Preparation:
Heat oven to 350 F. Lightly grease loaf of pan. (We used a four-mini loaf pan and filled three about 2/3.) Mash bananas and mix with honey, canola oil, and vanilla extract. Stir together flour, baking soda, and salt. Blend the two mixtures and spoon into a lightly oiled loaf pan. Bake for 40 min., or until center is set.

Like this:

At times I have a craving to eat something sweet to increase my level of energy. Do you know that feeling?
Well, instead of reaching to eat a handful of gummy bears or a reese’s peanut butter cup, I have started to make energy bites. These little flavorful bite-size pieces are sweet, delicious, and best of all very nutritious.

Preparation:
1. Combine all the ingredients and mix well. I like to start with mixing the peanut butter and honey with the rolling oats. Then I add the vanilla extract, flax seed, and chocolate chip. Note that this mixture is rather sticky.
2. Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into small balls, approximately the size of a large cherry.
3. Eat as mid-afternoon-pick-me up, as a pre-hike-quick-energy boost, as a post-hike-recovery-energy boost, etc. I am sure you will be able to come up with plenty opportunities to enjoy this nutritious and delicious snack.

Note: Ground flax seed work better than whole flax seed, as they tend to get stuck in my teeth. Also you can easily replace the flax seed with chia seed (make sure they are ground). Or you could use half flax seed and half chia seed.

Yummy bite-sized pieces of energy

Nutritional benefits:
* Honey has traces of potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus, unlike white sugar. Furthermore, honey contains more complex carbohydrates in addition to glucose and fructose. Therefore, it takes longer to break these carbohydrates down than glucose and fructose.
* Oats contain vitamin B and E, iron, calcium, magnesium, and fiber. They may be able to reduce blood cholesterol, ease constipation, and help to stabilize blood sugar levels.
* Flax seed are a good source of omega-3-fatty acids, vitamin E, iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These little seeds are one of the best vegetarian sources of omega-3-fatty acids.
* Peanut butter is a great source of protein. It is also packed with healthy fat (unsaturated fats). It also contains fiber and magnesium.
* Dark chocolate may increase the blood flow to the heart and the brain. It also helps to control blood sugar levels and is rich in antioxidants, potassium, copper, magnesium, and iron.